For years, the issue of transparency in the management of the Black Stars' finances has been a major concern for many Ghanaians.

Every time the national team competes in international tournaments, their budget is shrouded in secrecy, only coming to light after the competition—if at all—when the sector minister is summoned before Parliament.

This lack of financial openness has left many questioning the handling of public funds allocated to the national team.

Typically, after weeks of public outcry and scrutiny, the matter fades away without any substantial action being taken. However, a significant shift occurred when President John Dramani Mahama addressed the issue in his State of the Nation Address last Thursday.

He assured Ghanaians that going forward, expenditure on the Black Stars and other national teams would be disclosed to the public.

“There will be no secrecy in how much the government spends on the national teams. The budgets presented by the FA and other sports associations must be known by the public”. 

“After all, it is the taxpayers' funds that are used to fund these activities. The reduction in government expenditure and waste reduction applies to all sectors of the economy, including the Ministry of Sports and Recreation,” President Mahama stated. 

This statement was a refreshing change, aligning with what the public has demanded for years. It raises the question of why it took so long for authorities to heed this call. After all, if there is nothing to hide, why has the budget for the national team been consistently kept away from the very taxpayers who fund it?

Best practices

In the developed countries, where Ghana aims to emulate best practices, transparency is a core principle in governance.

Every penny spent on national teams is accounted for, and the public is made aware of expenditures even before budgets are approved.

This level of openness fosters trust and ensures that funds are used efficiently.

Unfortunately, Ghana’s experience has been quite the opposite. Even after the public embarrassment at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil—where the government had to airlift cash to players due to financial mismanagement—the nation failed to implement sustainable reforms.

The Justice Senyo Dzamefe Commission of Inquiry, which was set up to investigate the fiasco, recommended several measures to improve transparency in the management of the Black Stars. Yet, many of these recommendations were ignored, and the cycle of secrecy continued.

The refusal to embrace financial transparency has led to widespread speculation and distrust. Allegations of inflated budgets, unnecessary expenditures and unaccounted-for funds have become all too common.

This is unacceptable, especially when other sectors of the economy are struggling due to limited financial resources.

Accountability

The time has come for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports to adopt a more transparent approach.

The government’s promise of openness must be followed through with concrete actions, such as publishing detailed budgets before and after every major tournament. Regular financial audits and parliamentary oversight should also be enforced to ensure accountability.

Ghanaians love football, and the Black Stars remain a source of national pride. However, for the team to maintain the trust and support of the people, financial transparency must be prioritised. 

The call for openness in managing the Black Stars’ finances is not just about football—it is about good governance, accountability, and respect for taxpayers’ money.

The journey towards transparency may be long, but it is a necessary step in ensuring that national resources are used judiciously. Ghanaians deserve to know how their money is being spent, and it is time for the authorities to listen and act accordingly.